The presenterthinks sparks will fly this series after Jason Gardiner and Karen Barber were both reinstated as judges

The cold war between Dancing on Ice judges Jason Gardiner and Karen Barber could lead to a nasty water fight on live TV, Phillip Schofield has predicted.

The presenter, 50, thinks sparks will fly this series after the pair were both reinstated as judges.

Speaking after the Sunday night’s first show, he said: “In Dancing On Ice everyone gets on like a family, apart from Karen and Jason.

“I think sparks will fly between them, because they really don’t like each other.

“At the moment Jason is in control of himself, but there’s every possibility that eventually he’ll turn really nasty.

“They’re sitting close enough for there to be a glass of water thrown. I think this year it could be all about the water.”

Phillip also thinks contestants like Towie’s Lauren Goodger need to be careful when missing skating rehearsals.

He said: “The celeb contestants know their levels and they know what’s at stake and if you have been training for months and months and you party and blow it then that’s up to you.

“I do worry about the injuries than can incur.

"I’ve seen blood no the ice and actually it’s really hard to scrape up, once they smack their faces on the ice they’ve got to get it up really quickly or it soaks in so it’s a nasty business. It’s dangerous.

“But the celebrity contestants know what they sign up to and that’s why I think the one’s that do are very, very brave.

"Of all the celeb reality shows I think it’s the toughest.”

Phillip also defended his co-host Christine Bleakley, 33, after she was criticised on Twitter,.

Confirming there was a “possibility” the duo would take to the ice for a routine this series he said: “I think Christine is an excellent co-host, but there’ll always be critics on Twitter and people who preferred Holly Willoughby.

"But I think Christine is doing a great job. “There’s always a possibility that Christine and I will do a routine one day.